Returning home with a newborn is abig adjustment. During the COVID-19pandemic, it may feel that yoursupport options are limited. It isimportant to stay connected withfamily and friends. Instead of in-person visits, you may need to connectwith video calls.

You may worry about protecting yourselfand your baby, especially during COVID-19. Itis okay to have these concerns. There areways to limit exposure by avoidingunnecessary public contact, planning ahead,and asking for help with some tasks.

Love your baby, keep baby close, and respondto their need for food, love, and comfort.These are all essential for baby's health, well-being, and development. This will also helpyour mental and emotional health.

This resource is not intended to replacemedical guidance from your doctor,healthcare provider, or emergency medicalservices.

CARING FORYOUR NEWBABY

Michigan.gov/StayWell

Resources For Baby & CaregiversAll Babies Crychildrenstrustma.org/our-programs/all-babies-cry

Keeping Kids Safesafekids.org/sites/default/files/documents/home_safety_checklist.pdf

De-stressing Your Familycommonsensemedia.org/blog/help-your-family-de-stress-during-coronavirus-uncertainty

Fathers' Mental Healthnichq.org/insight/promoting-fathers-mental-health-during-childrens-early-childhood

Maternal and Infant HealthMichigan.gov/miheip

Michigan Women, Infants &Children (WIC)Michigan.gov/WIC

Michigan Home Visiting ProgramsMIHomeVisiting.com

D U R I N G C O V I D - 1 9

Wear a cloth face covering in public. Be sure itcovers nose and mouth.Keep the outing short and only for essential needs.Stay at least 6 feet away from others.Avoided crowded locations.Clean hands frequently by washing with soap andwater for 20 seconds, if water is not available, usehand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Avoidtouching mouth, nose and eyes.

Cover the infant carrier (not the baby) with a lightblanket.

This protects baby, but allows them to breathecomfortably.Remove the blanket when your baby is not in directview - this includes in the car. Check on baby often.

Never put a face covering or mask on your baby orany child under two years old.Never leave your baby or child alone in a car.

Immediately wash hands with soap and water for 20seconds or more. Then wash your baby's and/orchildren's hands.Remove shoes before entering your home, or leave atthe door/entryway.

Call your baby's doctor with any questions orconcerns. While in person visits may be limited, phonecall and video calls are available.Schedule and attend your baby's first appointmentand recommended well-child visits, include receivingthe recommended vaccines to best protect your baby.Call your doctor's office before your appointment - tolearn about their guidelines for entering the building,where to wait and other important instructions.

Stay Home - Unless It IsEssentialIf you must go out:

If you must bring your baby:

When you return home:

Check In With Your Baby'sDoctor

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If available, trygrocery services thatdrop off to yourdoor or use curbsidepickup.Friends or familymay help withshopping for food ormeals. Have themdeliver to your dooror porch, but keepsocial distance.

Don't be afraid to askfor help! Food and mealdelivery:

Have a conversationthrough a closedwindow, or in thedriveway 6 feet apart. Talk to family andfriends through virtualget-togethers. Join parent forums orcommunity groups withonline connections forsupport and friendship.

Five Ways ToAccept Help &Stay Connected

Newborns should nurse/be fed 8-12 times in 24 hours.Small stomachs need frequent feedings.    Wet Diapers: Your baby should have six or more wetdiapers in 24 hours by the time he is four days old. Dirty Diapers: Poops should be yellow to green in colorby day five and the size of a quarter or larger. Youshould see 3-4 dirty diapers in 24 hours by day four.

Feeding Your New Baby BreastfeedingBreast milk can help protect your baby against manyinfections, and they will be less likely to have severesymptoms when they get sick. There is no evidence that amother can pass the virus to her baby through breast milkand breastfeeding. The numerous benefits ofbreastfeeding greatly outweigh the low risks oftransmission and illness associated with the COVID-19virus. Therefore, breastfeeding is recommended as theideal way to feed your baby during and after thepandemic. Formula FeedingIf you are thinking about formula feeding your new baby,consider offering as much breast milk as you can; this mayhelp boost baby’s ability to resist infections. If you are ableto express or pump, this is another way to offer somebreast milk to your baby, even if nursing is not successful.You can give both breast milk and formula if needed. Ifbreastfeeding is not possible, prepare infant formulacorrectly (by following the directions on the can) andsterilize bottles and nipples. If you are not sure whichinfant formula to feed your baby, ask your pediatrician. Making Sure Your Baby Is GettingEnough To Eat

Feeding Your Baby If You Are SickTake precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 to yourbaby by washing hands before and after touching yourbaby, cleaning and disinfecting any surfaces you touch,cleaning infant feeding equipment before and after use,and practicing respiratory hygiene (by avoiding coughingor sneezing on the baby and wearing a mask or cloth facecovering).

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Learn more about yourpregnancy during COVID-19michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/Pregnancy_Guide_691446_7.pdf Learn about breastfeedingyour baby during COVID-19michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/Breastfeeding_During_COVID-19_691443_7.pdf Safe breast milk storagecdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm

Coping with a new baby during COVID-19

Tips for keeping you and your baby calm

Newborn FussinessFussiness usually peaks between two weeks andtwo months. Make sure baby is fed 8-12 times in24 hours, and has a clean and dry diaper andcomfortable, clean clothing. Try a swaddle orsleep sack.

healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/crying-colic/Pages/Tips-for-Coping-with-a-New-Baby.aspx

michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71548_57836-336176--,00.html

When parents or caretakers of newbornsbecome very stressed, exhausted, and feelat the end of their rope, sometimes they feelthere is nothing they can do to help their childand may be tempted to shake their baby. Nevershake or physically respond to your newborn. Ifyou have attended all their needs and have triedsoothing techniques, lay them gently on theirback in their safe sleep space and take a fewmoments to step away from the crying. This is temporary and the most stressful part ofnewborn-hood, but the crying will stop. Feelingsof frustration, isolation, and exhaustion are verycommon for parents of newborn babies. If youare feeling these frustrations, try a groundingtechnique, use a mindfulness practice or reachout to a support person in your life. Findmindfulness techniques on page 5.

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Adopt safe sleep practices for everynap and night-time sleep.

Place baby on their back - in a crib,bassinet or pack-n-play every sleep.

Use a firm mattress with a tightly fittedsheet.

Keep baby's sleep space clutter free -NO pillows, blankets, bumpers, stuffedanimals or toys.

Do not cover baby's face or head(includes caps and hats) when sleeping.

Avoid overheating - your baby shouldbe dressed for the space he or she is in.If you think your baby is cold, dress himor her in a footed sleeper or a sleepsack right for their size and age.

Infant Safe Sleep

Top 3 Ways To Keep Your

Baby Sleeping Safe

ALONEOn his or her BACKIn a CRIB or PACK-N-PLAY

To avoid deadly sleep situations,your baby should sleep:

National Disaster Distress Helpline

Michigan Crisis Text Line

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

If you are worried about harming yourself oryour baby, taking your own life, or are in crisiscall 911 and seek immediate care.Crisis counseling 24/7 if you're feeling distress:

1-800-985-5990

Text RESTORE to 741741

Immediate support 24/7 for thoughts of suicide:

1-800-273-8255 or Text TALK to 741741

Sit outside in the sun.Feel the heat of the rayson you. Appreciate howfar the rays havetraveled just to reachyou.

Walk around. Feel asmuch as you can - noticethe grass, pebbles, or softcarpet under your feet.

Deep breathing. Takelong, slow breaths at thetop of the hour, or set areminder on your phonethroughout the day.

Look at the night sky.Appreciate how delicatethe stars and moonappear. Admire thetwinkling lights - maybenotice a satellite orshooting star.

Sit quietly. Feel thebreath coming and goingfrom your chest, throughyour nose. Feel how thebreath is cool as youinhale and warm as youexhale.

Grounding TechniqueA grounding technique can helpdecrease anxiety and anger whenyou are feeling overwhelmed. Think 5-4-3-2-1 as you notice:

Write in a journal. Writedown happy momentsyou can look back onwhen you're feelinganxious or stressed.Acknowledge theappreciation you feel forthe things around you.

Simple Mindfulness TechniquesMindfulness is one way to lessen the effects of stress – emotionallyand physically. These techniques promote being present, in themoment, and mindful.

Try the free app formeditation, sleep,and movementexercises.Headspace.com/mi

5 things you see4 things you feel3 things you hear2 things you smell1 thing you taste

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